Rabbi Mordechai Zajac, Rov of the Bais Menachem Chabad in S. Paulo, Brazil, member of the hanhallah of Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim of Ohel Menachem Mendel and mashpia of the community, passed away on Shabbos, 11 Elul, 5777.
Rabbi Zajac was born in Pacanow, Poland to R’ Simcha Yitzchok Zajac, and emigrated with his family to Brazil at the age of 2. in 1947 he was sent to learn in Yeshiva in New York, first in Lubavitch Yeshiva and later in 770.
Even before his marriage, he traveled to Brazil to spread Yiddishkeit there.
The Rebbe was the mesader Kidushin and participated in his wedding to Rivkah in 1957.
After his marriage, he and his wife moved to Brazil. In 1960 he traveled to Crown Heights for Tishrei, and went in to Yechidus. He asked the Rebbe for a Bracha to open a factory to manufacture coats. The Rebbe told him not to do so, but to go to Buffalo, NY and reopen a Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva there that had closed down, saying, “How can we sleep at night when a Yeshiva of my father-in-law is closed.”
After 3 and a half years of running the Yeshiva, Rabbi Zajac returned to Brazil, where he ran a successful business.
He later was appointed the Rov of the local Chabad Shul and a member of the Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim hanhalla, as well as the Mashpia of the Chabad community.
He is survived by his wife Rivkah and children, Rabbi Yossi Zajac – Montreal, Mrs. Basya Itzinger – London, Rabbi Avrohom Meir Zajac – Los Angeles, CA, Mrs. Nechama Barber – Crown Heights, and Rabbi Shmuel Zajac – London.
He is also survived by his brothers, R’ Meir Zajac, R’ Leibel Zajac, and R’ Yisroel Zajac, all of Brazil and sisters, Toba Izaak, Brazil and Perel Felberbaum, Israel.
He was predeceased by his sister Esther Lieberman.
The levaya will take place Wednesday at 10 am in Jerusalem.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes – R’ Mordechai Ben R’ Simcha Yitzchok
Rabino , fara muita falta !!! Abram,Myriam,Alexande,,Orit,Luiz Avia e Ofri Sztutman
Hamakom yenachem eschem b’soch sh’ar aveilai tzion ve’rusholayim.
We were so, so saddened ( and shocked) to hear of Reb Mottel’s p’tira. May Der Aibershter give you the strength needed to continue. May you all bask in the memories of the good times, as will we. May you be gebenched with much nachas from each other, from the children and the ainiklach. May Reb Mottel use his strength of character, perseverance, and power of persuasion to help bring Moshiach now.
Eemachem anachnu b’tzoroh. Much love, Tzyotzeh Riveh’s children- the Geisinsky family.
I had the merit of spending many Shabossim with R Mottel (and Tibodel Lechaim Tobim his wife, Rebetzn Rivka) as a bochur in Brazil. I was the Baal Koire in his shul (together with R Rosenfeld) and a tremendous Taanug of spending long shabbos meals listening to R’ Mottel´s Yejidus´n with the Friediker Rebbe, and with the Rebbe, and chassidishe Maizes fun unzer Rebbeim. And all this with his Charifus and comic style. (those shabbosim after the Davenen and Kiddush, just was me with R’ Mottel for a whole year! (5771). i remember well r’ Mottle then singing the Piyut… Read more »
I remember him well. I was involved in the shiddach of his daughter Basya.
Hamokom Yenachem Eschem Besoch Avelei Tzion Virusholoim.
Hensha Gansbourg
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
Dear Nechama
Hamakom Yanachem eshem besor shar evlei Tzion vyerushalaim
May you hear just good news from now on.
Zlata Baila
We mourn with you here in L.A. !
We could only imagine what kind of person
Rabbi Zajac’s father was knowing his son !
Chabad of Sola has changed the entire Los Angeles
Community !!! Rabbi Zajac is a true inspiration to us all !
Hamakom yenachem eschem….
Dearest Yossi and Fruma
The beautiful years in Brazil with you and your kids are in my mind today. We miss you here so much. Hamokom Yenachem Esjem besoj shar avelei tzion virushalaim
Fond memories of R’ Mottel when he lived in Brookly NY on Linden Blvd in East Flatbush and daveneded in the R’ Bukiet – Oneg Shabbos Shul
We are so lucky to have such a chossid as reb Yossel living here!! המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
BH
I never met Reb Mordechai. I only know his son Reb Yossi Zajac from Montreal. Rabbi Yossi changed my life for ever and ever.
Reb Yossi – Your father raised a son like you and that is very special. I’m sure your action and all you great Mitzvot that you do will be a great elevation for his soul.
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
Reb Motel,
A great man, a chosid that koched in the Rebbes shiurim and directives.
Helped countless organizations and individuals to raise funds. Amongs them R. Shmuel Dovid Raitchik and R. Dovid Raskin A”H.
May Hashem give streghnth and be Menachem the whole family especialy a devoted son Reb Yosi, who selflesly honored and looked after his father during the years he lived in Brazil, driving him to Shul and home daily and much more.
A Brazilian
BDH
After returning from Buffalo Rabbi Zajac opened Maimonides school in Far Rockerway, NY, the first school for disabled children which he ran successfully for 18 years.
He returned to Brazil in 1977, after the Rebbe told him that his Shlichus will be to be Mekarev those that you can only reach out to as a business associate rather than as their Rabbi.
Couldn’t have said it better. The most selfless giving person.
We truly miss him, here in Brazil .
Um grande mestre, Homem, professor a Choosid.
Todos nós ficamos órfãos.
Iehi.
Rav Motel – He was able to influnce ( amashpia) everybody. BDE – Baruch Dayan Emet
You and your family should only know of simchas from now onwards!
To my dear mentor and Mashpia Reb Yossef.
Hamokom Yenachem Eschem Besoch Avelei Tzion Virusholoim.
Your father has a great Zchus to have a son like you. The love and simche you bring to your Mushpoim especially to the once who are seating under the Iron curtain is all Leilui Nishmas.
May you continue being a source of inspiration for all of us your Mushpoim and for the many that got to know you.
Very sad! He did wonders!!!
My Heart aches. Rabbi Mordechai was a rare כל בו, an individual with a huge personality, an expansive knowledge and deep thinker. When he entered a room the mood and conversation would almost always change to something more substantive and meaningful, colored by his signature demeanor of Chabad, Chassidishe joy and wit. He and his Rebbetzin יבלט”א are the definition of an aristocratic couple. I wish his Rebbetzin יבלט”א and to all the family (a particular mention to my dear cousin, childhood friend Yossi ) that Hashem give you the strength to carry-on. May the רבש”ע brighten your days ahead… Read more »
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שער אבלי ציון בירושלים
Sending you our love from S. Paulo, Brasil
really doesn’t matter. Reb Motel was larger then life…….both a man of the book and a man of action, like no other…..BDE
BDE
To the most selfless kindest and giving person I know who spreads simcha to whomever he meets our hearts are with you at this time. From an old Montrealer
He was very good to my family, may his neshoma go up right away!
באמת כדאי לכתוב ספר שלם על האי גברא רבא מתמיד עצום חריף ובקי נפלא עמקן עסקן וראש ישיבה וגביר תורה וגדולה במקום אחד
חבל באמת דאבדין יהא זכרו ברוך
ידידו ומעריכו ומריצו
נח שמחה
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שער אבלי ציון בירושלים
Rabbi Yosi Zajac is the oldest
Very Special Neshomo
A very special Chassid & Rov.
An entire generation is lost with him…
Chaval al deavdin….. Harav Mottel is irreplaceable……..